Intestine splitting machine



June 28, 1949. M. S.'ATKISSON El AL 9 INTE STINE SPLIT'IING MACHINE 7 Filed March 8, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet l @m gdam 6 Gm c 73%;

M. S. ATKISSON ET AL INTES'IINE SPLITTING MACHINE l June 28, 1949.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 8, 1947 hil i'ymdam yw cf J 23, M. s. ATKISSON El AL 2,474,299

INTESTINE SPLITTING MACHINE Filed March 8, 1947 J 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I 7 F V F 27 1 ,H 2.9 3 Z9 Z 7 J2 g 4 4 2a V Q /l V ///l W Patented June 28, 1949 INTESTINE SPLI'IVIING MACHINE Minton S. Atkisson, Wilmette, and Arthur Schneider, Itasca, Ill., assignors to Armour and Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March s, 1947, Serial No. 733,328

Claims.

This invention relates to an intestine splitting machine, and is particularly useful in the splitting of animal intestines into strips for subsequent treatment for the production of strings for musical instruments, game rackets, surgical ligatures, etc.

An object of the invention is to provide improved means for the longitudinal splitting of animal intestines whereby a more accurate division of the intestine is brought about into a plurality of parts, while at the same time forming cleaner orsharper lines of division. Yet another object is to provide newmechanism whereby the intestine is severed so as to provide strips of uniform width while avoiding the ragged. edge produced by former severing devices and while effectively handling the severed portions to prevent their being drawn again into the machine. Yet another object is to provide mechanism whereby the intestines to be fed to the machine are drawn without bending upon'guide members into the machine and in which the intestine is held against being picked up by the machine and injured. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated in one specific embodiment, by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of amachine embodying our invention; Fig. 2, a transverse sectional view; Fig. 3, a detail sectional View, the section being taken as indicated at line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a detail sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 44 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5, an enlarged detail sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 5--5 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 6, a broken perspective viewshowing the intestine at the point of being severed by the rotary cutting blade and the severed portions being drawn away by the take-off roller.

In the illustration given, In designates a base and frame for the machine. In the upper portion-of the machine is rotatably mounted a knife shaft II and having sleeved portions I2 thereon carrying circular knives l3. Shaft H is provided with a universal coupling l4 and is driven by a motor l5.

Keyed upon the shaft H is a drive ear 16 which meshes with a large gear ll. The large gear is provided with a-sprocket ll engaging the chain 18, and the chain at its other end engages the sprocket i9 on shaft 20. The shaft 20 carries a bed roll or support roll 2|. The roll 2-l is provided with annular recesses 22 adapted toreceive the outer edges of the circular cutter disk l3. On each side of the recesses 22 are supported rubber-tipped canvas members 23 adapted to aid in .the gripping of the intestine and holdingitin place while the severance is being accomplished by the knife l3.

The sprocket I9 may, if desired, be allowed to rotate freely upon shaft 20 and may be secured thereto by means of a clutch member 24. A key andgroove 25 provide a sliding interlock between the clutch member 24 and the shaft 23.

Fixed to the shaft 20 are drive gears 26 which mesh with gears 21 mounted upon the feed shaft 28. The shaft 28 carries a plurality of feed disks. As shown more clearly in Fig. 4, the feed disks 29 and 30 may be arranged in pairs so as to receive between them the outer portion of the cutter blade [3. Each of the disks 23 and 30 is provided with a hub l3l provided with a set screw for securingit .to shaft .23.

In order to support the shaft 23 effectively for its feeding function, we mount the ends of the shaft upon pivot straps 32, the straps being supported at their upper end upon the pivot pin-s 33 fixed to the casing ill.- The straps 32 are normally urged forwardly by springs 34 which are secured to lugs upon the straps 32 at their rear end and at their forward end are secured to posts 35 carried by the cross beam 38 of the frame H], as shown more clearly in Fig. 2. We prefer to equip the shaft 28 with a pair of gears 21, and these mesh with a pair of gears 26 fixed upon the shaft 20.

The shaft 20 is also provided with a small sprocket gear 3-! engaging the sprocket chain 38. The chain 38 meshes with a sprocket carried by the take-ofi roll shaft -39, as :shown best in Fig. 2. Mounted upon shaft :39 is a take-off roller 4c provided with spaced ribs 41. The ribs are preferably faced with rubber or other resilient strips 42. With the sprocket and chain structure shown, the take-off roller 4-0 is driven at a faster speed than the bed roll *2 I.

In order to bring the intestines to be treated from the vessel in which they are usually contained in a liquid bath, we provide horns 43, preferably formed of wire, and have the same curved downwardly and laterally, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 2. The horns extend upwardly in a somewhat vertical plane and then inwardly in a substantially horizontal plane, extending on either side of the feed disks 29 and 33 and of the knife blade l-3 as illustrated more'clearly inFig. 3. The intestine 44 carried upon the horn 4'3 isthus held flat relation for the sever-ing operation, asshown best :inFigs. 3 and 5.

The forward free ends of the horn 43 are preferably clamped to the cross beam 35 by means of a bar 65 through which extend threaded bolts 46.

In the illustration given, the shaft H is pro vided with a pair of cutter disks l3. It will be understood that any number of knives may be used, and any number of feeder horns 33 may be employed therewith. If desired, instead of using a single rotary knife l3 between a pair of feeder disks 29 and 39, a plurality of spaced knives may be here employed so as to sever the intestine simultaneously into a large number of longitudinal portions.

The disks 2,9 and 33 may be provided with any sort of surfaces which will tend to grip the surface of the intestine to feed it forwardly. In the specific illustration given, the disks 29 and 3b are formed with serrated edges 61, as shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 4.

Operation In the operation of the machine, power is transmitted from the motor through the coupling Id to shaft H. Shaft H through its enlarged portion i2 drives the rotary blades 3. The drive gear i6 mounted on shaft H drives the large gear H and power is transmitted thence through the small sprocket U to the large sprocket iii on shaft 29. Shaft 28 carries the bed roller 2! and causes the same to rotate. By means of gears 26 and the driven gears 2'5 on shaft 28, the feed disks 29 and 38 are rotated, and the same serve to draw the intestines forwardly toward the cutting position, as shown best in Fig.

The operator feeds the intestines upon horns 13 by drawing them forwardly from the vessel below the machine containing them and until they engage the feed disks 29 and 3d. Disks 29 and 38 are rotated by the suspended shaft 28 to which the gears 21 are secured.

In the feeding operation, the intestines are drawn upwardly along the spreader horns 3 and first engage the feed disks 29 and 36' and also the bed roller 2!. The intestines are then automatically fed forwardly to the position where they engage the rotary knife i3. The severed portions of the intestine then fall upon the take-off roller ii) which is driven at a more rapid speed than the roller 2! and which exerts a tension upon the severed portions so that they remain in a true line relative to the cutter disk Q3.

The problem of handling intestines for an accurate division thereof is dificult by reason of the natural curvature of the intestines and as a result of which one side thereof is longer than the other. Due to the natural coiled position of the intestines in the abdominal cavity and to the fact that the inner surface of the intestine has fat and tissue adhering thereto, there is an outer, longer and smooth side, and an inner, shorter and rough side. It is desired to separate the rough side from the longer or smooth side and this is accomplished effectively in the present machine not only because of the curvature of the forks 43 but also because of the rapidly rotating take-off roller 49 which maintains the severed portions of the intestine in accurate alignment with the blade. The rapidly rotating roller takes care of the rough and smooth severed portions of the intestine, even though one is longer than the other and pervents either from finding its way back among the rotating parts of the machine. The tension maintained upon the severed portions cooperates with the 4 feed rollers 29 and 30 and the bed roll 21 is maintaining the intestine always in true alignment with the rotating cutter blade iii.

In the feeding operation described, the operator does not bend the intestine at any point, but lifts it vertically upon either of the horns 43 by which it is drawn along a continuous curve into the feed mechanism of the machine.

The rubber-tipped portions 23 of the roller 2! cooperate with the feed disks 29 and 30 in providing a firm grip upon the intestine as it is drawn forward upon the horn is and insure uniform movement of the intestine through the machine.

The clutch 24 permits the roller or feed mechanism to be maintained idle, while the knife shaft H rotates. Closing of the clutch 24 to bring the teeth thereof into engagement with the clutch teeth of the sprocket gear 19 connects the sprocket i9 directly with shaft 28 and brings about the rotation of the parts as already described.

We find that the operation of the feeding disks 29 and 30 is unusually effective by reason of the support of the shaft 28 therefor upon the straps 32. The spring 34 is tensioned so as to exert the desired tension upon the intestine being fed.

The machine operates to produce longitudinal portions of intestines with clean-cut edges and in accurately-divided widths. The feed disks and the horns can be adjusted to divide the intestine in any desired widths.

While in the foregoing specification, we have set forth certain structures in great detail, it will be understood that such details may be varied widely by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of our invention.

We claim:

1. In apparatus of the character set forth, a frame, a guide horn for receiving an intestine, means for advancing the intestine and splitting it, a ribbed roller mounted in said frame for rotation and supported to receive the split intestine portions freely thereon, and means for rotating said roller.

2. In apparatus of the character set forth, a frame, a guide horn for receiving an intestine, rotary means for advancing the intestine, means for splitting the intestine, a rotatably-mounted roller supported for receiving freely thereon the split intestine portions, and means for rotating said roller at a faster speed than said intestineadvancing means.

3. In apparatus of the character set forth, a frame, a guide horn for receiving an intestine and directing the same forwardly, roller means for gripping said intestine while on said horn and advancing the same, means for severing said intestine as the same is advanced, a ribbed roller supported to receive freely thereon the severed intestine portions and for applying friction thereto, and means for rotating said rotary means. 7

i. In apparatus of the character set forth, a frame, rotary feed and cutter means mounted therein, and a guide horn adapted to receive an intestine and to guide the same toward said outter means, said guide means having its lower portion extending downwardly in a generally vertical plane and having its upper portion inclined inwardly in a substantially horizontal plane.

5. In apparatus of the character set forth, a

frame, a guide horn having a longitudinal slot therein, a roller extending under said horn, intestine-advancing means comprising spaced disk members, a rotary cutter extending through the slot in said horn, said disk members having their peripheral portions adjacent said roller on each side of said cutter, and means for rotating said cutter.

6. In apparatus of the character set forth, a frame, a bed roll rotatably mounted therein and having a circular recess therein, a rotary cutter having its cutting edge portion received in said recess, means for guiding an intestine between said blade and recess, spaced feed disks mounted on a driven shaft with a disk on each side of said cutter for advancing said intestine toward said blade, and a driven ribbed roller on the forward side of said blade supported for receiving freely on its top surface the severed intestine portions and for drawing said intestine toward said blade.

7. In apparatus of the character set forth, a

frame, a bed roll rotatably mounted in said frame and having a circular recess, rotary feed means mounted therein and including a pair of feed disks carried by a driven shaft and having their peripheral surfaces adjacent said bed roll, pivotally mounted means for supporting said shaft, a rotary cutter mounted in said frame and having its cutting edge received within said circular recess, means for guiding an intestine to said feed means and said blade, and means for rotating said driven disk and said rotary cutter.

8. In apparatus of the character set forth, a frame, a bed roll rotatably mounted in said frame and having a circular recess, rotary feed means mounted therein and including a pair of feed disks carried by a driven shaft and having their peripheral surfaces adjacent said bed roll, pivotally-mounted means for supporting said shaft, a rotary cutter mounted in said frame and having its cutting edge received within said circular recess, means for guiding an intestine to said feed means and said blade, means for rotating said driven disk and said rotary cutter, and spring means urging said driven shaft-supporting members toward said rotary cutter.

9. In apparatus of the character set forth, a frame, a bed roll rotatably mounted therein and having a circular recess therein, a rotary cutter having its cutting edge received in said recess, means for guiding an intestine between said cutter and recess, spaced feed disks supported upon a pivotally-mounted shaft, spring means urging said feed disks toward said bed roll, and means for rotating said cutter and said feed disks.

10. In apparatus of the character set forth, a frame, a bed roll rotatably mounted therein and having a circular recess therein, a resilient gripping member carried by said bed roll on each side of said recess, a rotary cutter having its cutting edge portion received in said recess, and feed disks supported above said bed roll and in alignment with said resilient gripping members.

11. In apparatus of the character set forth, a frame, a bed roll rotatably mounted therein and having a circular recess therein, a resilient grip- 6 ping member carried by said bed roll on each side of said recess, a rotary cutter having its cutting edge portion received in said recess, and feed disks supported above said bed roll and in alignment with said resilient gripping members, said disks being provided with serrated edges.

12. In apparatus of the character set forth, a frame, a bed roll rotatably mounted upon said frame and having a circular recess rotary feed means mounted in said frame and engaging said feed roll, means for guiding an intestine between said rotary feed means, said rotary feed means including a member having a serrated edge received within the recess of said bed roll, a rotary disk having a plain cutting edge, and means for rotating said cutting disk to sever the intestine longitudinally as it is advanced by said r0l1eradvancing means.

13. In apparatus of the character set forth, a frame, a bed roll rotatably mounted therein and having a circular recess therein, resilient gripping means carried by said bed roll on each said side of said recess, a rotatably-mounted feed disk having its edge in contact with said resilient gripping means, a rotary cutter having its cutting edge received in said recess, and means for guiding an intestine between said blade and said recess.

14. In apparatus of the character set forth, a frame, a bed roll rotatably mounted therein and having a circular recess therein, resilient gripping means carried by said bed roll on each side of said recess, a rotary cutter having its cutting edge received in said recess, means for guiding an intestine between said blade and said recess, and spaced feed disks adjustably mounted on a driven shaft and on each side of said rotary cutter, said spaced feed disks being so positioned as to press material to be out against said resilient gripping means.

15. In apparatus of the character set forth, a frame, a bed roll rotatably mounted therein and having a circular recess therein, resilient gripping means carried by said bed roll on each side of said recess, a rotary cutter having its cutting edge received in said recess, means for guiding an intestine between said blade and said recess, and spaced feed disks adjustably mounted on a driven shaft and on each side of said rotary cutter, said disks having teeth inclined in the direction of rotation of said disks, said disk being so positioned as to feed material to be cut against said resilient gripping means.

MINTON S. ATKISSON. ARTHUR E. SCHNEIDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 589,444 Sackett Sept. 7, 1897 770,633 Folsom Sept. 20, 1904 1,854,426 Redemske Apr. 19, 1932 1,925,841 Matthews Sept. 5, 1933 Certificate of Correction Patent N 0. 2,474,299 June 28, 1949 MINTON S. ATKISSON ET AL.

It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 4, line 1, for is mainread in maz'm; column 6, line 22, claim 13, after the Word each strike out said; 9

and that the said Letters Patent should be read With these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of December, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant aommiesiqner of Patents. 

